Page 76 of Gemini
The car slowed as it pulled into what I assumed was a driveway. When it stopped, they grabbed my arms and led me across a gravel walk judging by the crunch under my feet. Someone knocked on a door, and I heard it swing open a few seconds later. I started fighting, not wanting to go inside wherever they were taking me, not wanting to be trapped again, but they forced me in, picking me up as I tried to go limp, dragging my feet across the ground.
"Take her upstairs," said a low voice. They pulled me up a set of steps and down a hallway, dumping me into a room and shutting the door. My body shook, my breathing erratic as I tried to not hyperventilate. When I could push down the panic, I listened for their footsteps and voices. Once it got quiet, I rolled up on my knees and dragged my head over the floor to get the bag off me. I managed to slip it past my eyes and shake it off.
My gaze drifted around the room as I straightened. The place was immaculate. Dark polished wood was all around me with several alcoves of books and a plush leather green couch. A single lamp illuminated the room, making it look warm and homely. Beyond a pair of tall windows with thick green curtains I saw the trees. Legs shaking, I pushed myself to my feet and went to the window. There was a yard surrounded by woods, but if I craned my neck I could just make out a barn not too far away. To another side of the house, I saw a wide balcony. Judging from what I could see, the place was impressively large and made to look like a log cabin.
I thought about screaming as I stared at the dark forest. But I didn't see a single neighbor nearby and there were people still downstairs, I could just make out their voices. Remembering Simon's threat, I choked the scream down and turned back tothe room, searching for some way to cut the handcuffs off. Finding nothing sharp enough, I tried to use my weight on the corners of a table in hopes of snapping it, only to make my wrists and arms hurt more. I twisted the handcuffs around, struggling and cursing as I did, when I heard people climbing the stairs.
The door swung open and one of Simon's men stepped in. He twisted me around then unlocked the cuffs. I turned back, ready to fix him with a death glare, but he was already walking away, leaving the door open. I heard him talking to someone out in the hall, but I couldn't make out their words. Before I could move toward the door, thinking somehow I could run past them, a woman stepped into the doorway, blocking my way.
My heart dropped, a whimper crawling up my throat before I managed to call out her name. "Trish."
CHAPTER TWENTY
She looked bad, even though she was trying to hide it. I would even say sickly. Shoving down my concern, I rushed to her, putting my arms around her as we collided. She hugged me back, her arms trembling.
“What the hell are you doing here, Lena?” she said in my ear.
“I was trying to find you.” My voice broke, trying to keep more tears from falling.
She released me, closing the door behind us and locking it. Then she drew me over to the couch. Even though she looked ill, with dark circles under her eyes and a faint bruise on her cheek, she was still stunning. Her black hair was styled in waves down her back and she wore a creamy-white knee-high dress that fit to her figure. There was also a layer of studded jewelry around her neck, gold white chain and diamonds, paired with a set of earrings.
“How did you even know where to look?” she asked.
“Long story.”
“We have time.”
I told her about Luke and how we found the footage at her apartment. Mom, Dad, and Art were working with police to find her. But I kind of took…a less conventional route.
She gave me a suspicious look. “What kind of route?”
I decided she deserved to know at least a little. “I had connections with this group who are rivals to your ex’s gang. They helped me track you down.”
She covered her eyes. “Lena, tell me you did not get involved with some gang too.”
Here it was. Even in a dire situation she couldn’t help chastising me. “They’re not like the Brotherhood of the Serpent. They are…” I was about to say good. But that wasn’t exactly accurate. “They care, that’s all.”
“Yeah, cared enough to get you involved in this. Now you’re here with me. Oh, god…” She wiped a tear from her face and that scared me. Trish rarely cried. “You shouldn’t be here.”
I took her hand and wrapped it in mine. “Why didn’t you tell me about Trevor and Luke?”
“I couldn't. It was…it all happened so fast. I made a mistake. Trevor caught sight of me and I just…I got weak, Lena. I’m sorry. I liked him too much for my own good and he got me involved in all this bullshit. I tried to get out but…” She wiped away another tear. “He wasn’t having it. I thought it was better not to fight after I heard about Luke. I thought maybe eventually he’d let me go…”
I squeezed her hand. “It’ll be okay. We’re together now.”
“But we shouldn’t be. You’re supposed to be safe. He promised me he wouldn’t mess with my family. That son of a bitch,” she whispered. She studied my face. “They hurt you?”
I couldn’t hide it. She had to see the bruises there too, faint like hers. She got up from the couch as if ready to storm out, then she stopped.
“We stick together. You do whatever I say, you understand, Lena?” she demanded. “You stay silent and do as told and I’ll—I’ll convince him to let you go.”
“I’m not going anywhere without you, Trish.”
“You have to,” she snapped. Then her expression dropped. “Please, Lena. You need to go.”
I gave her a sad look back. She knew I was stubborn too.
There was a knock on the door. Trish gave me one last pleading glance before opening the door. A shorter man in a red suit came in and set a dress down on the couch, similar to the one Trish had on.
